Geniusai

Rian Johnson's brilliance is not limited to making angsty highschool noir films. Observe.

Mountain Goats - Woke Up New (Directed by Rian Johnson) from rcjohnso on Vimeo.

Drunkeness in the workplace

It's been a bad week for celebs. Thanks to media super exposure I don't feel the need to go into that in any detail.

Let's focus on the pedophile (alleged).



Specifically I want to talk about his movie (this is supposed to be a film blog). You can check out Moonwalker here without even having to leave your work desk! I'd say it goes nicely with a glass of merlot. Something really cheap. We aren't going for quality here, but results. Of course, if you aren't leaving your work desk you should cleverly hide it in a coke can. Hee hee.



For the truly hardcore readers get the most expensive wine you can find. It doesn't matter what. After all, we're honoring a man who purchased actual Ming-dynasty vases to smash in his music video for "Scream" (citation needed). Also, you need to hunt down the out of print but visually superior laser disc edition of the film.

Moonwalker isn't good on any kind of artistic or entertainment level, but as a study on one superstar's psyche you're not going to find a more informative piece. This is MJ at his most self indulgent. Go into it with that understanding and I'm sure you'll find the experience fascinating.

Better than gainful employment

Concept art! It's great tasting, less filling, and fun for the whole family. And what do we do with concept art children? Eaaat concept art! Or we can place it on the internet... but good try kids.



Where am I going to get glass...?



Or a... sewer... maybe?



Or a beard?! Doomed!

Concerning Profitable Rape

I think it was Rodriguez that said, "at some point working in Hollywood you realize you've become a whore". I'm sure others have offered up witticisms of a similar vein, but he's the one I keep a picture of under my pillow, and he's the one I quote.

I don't work in hollywood, but I want to, and I'm willing to become a whore to get there. In that way, the principle applies. This script is so grindhouse/exploitation it's ridiculous. This is my El Mariachi project after all. Do anything it takes to shoot a feature. Sell to local home video distributors. Repeat. Hopefully you don't go to jail in the process.

It's exploitation because the baser elements sell, and everyone knows that. Sex and violence easily overcome shortcomings in your story, actors, and budget. Exhibit A:



The first draft of my (still untitled) project is finished and I like to think I've woven a compelling human drama into mindless violence. Beneath the surface it's a haunting meditation on the primal nature of mankind. Now, all I need is a coolly obscure and arguably irrelevant title like Straw Dogs. Who are we kidding though? If anyone watches this crap they will do so because the rating box promises "adult situations and nudity".

Screenwriting woes

Robert Rodriguez is a personal hero which shouldn't come as much of a surprise. An aspiring filmmaker who finds Rodriguez's story inspirational? Shocking! He's more of a god to me at this point. I read his book like it's the freaking bible, going over certain passages again and again until the mantra soothes my troubled mind.



I plan to follow in his footsteps (possibly with great historical accuracy) and make my first feature length film this summer. Microbudget of course. Shot on digital. The problem is a need a script, and I suck at writing. You may have noticed...

I'd say it's a bad idea to read much of Warren Ellis before you start work on a script. I use him specifically, but really it's a bad idea to read a lot of work by anyone who is worlds more talented than you when you're trying to do your own stuff. For me, every professional writer who ever lived, now lives, or will live falls into that category (maybe even freaking Hemingway).